PM extends Thaipusam greetings
KUALA LUMPUR (Jan 31): Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim on Saturday conveyed Thaipusam greetings to all Hindus celebrating the festival. In a Facebook post, Anwar said Thaipusam is rich in meaning, symbolising sacrifice, reflection, spiritual strength and the value of patience. As such, he said the discipline and perseverance demonstrated throughout the observance of Thaipusam deserve respect and collective appreciation. In this regard, he hopes Thaipusam would bring peace of mind to all Hindu devotees, while continuing to nurture mutual respect and harmony within the country’s multiracial society. He also expressed hope that Thaipusam would be observed with gratitude and decorum, while upholding propriety and values that form the foundation of communal life.
Source:The Edge Markets
February 01, 2026 02:41 UTC
Fire damages 40 per cent of recycling factory in Chan Sow Lin
KUALA LUMPUR: A recycling factory at Jalan Emas 1, Chan Sow Lin here, was 40 per cent damaged in a fire last night. The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department operations centre said in a statement that 33 firefighters and nine engines from the Bandar Tun Razak, Pudu and Hang Tuah fire and rescue stations rushed to the scene following a distress call received at 8.05pm. The fire at the factory was brought under control at 9.20pm before the operation ended at 12.08am. No victims were involved in the incident, it said.
Source:New Strait Times
February 01, 2026 02:19 UTC
A father’s walk of gratitude for his miracle son
“Within a year, we were blessed with a son,” he said when met at the festival yesterday. Since then, Prakash, who works as a logistics executive, said that he and his wife have made a vow to make the pilgrimage to Batu Caves annually. Arenth, who was accompanied by his 73-year-old aunt, Jaya, said they decided to make an overnight walk to Batu Caves this year as a form of devotion. The pair took their time walking to Batu Caves, stopping only at rest points where volunteers offered food and drinks. Jaya, who was unfazed by the long walk, said more relatives would be joining them in prayers later during the festival.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 23:26 UTC
Stability spurs the ringgit
IT has been a good run for the ringgit. It continues to streng-then against the greenback, making it the best currency performer in the region. But the stronger ringgit is more than just a currency story, it is also a political one.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 23:20 UTC
MCMC shuts down illegal transceiver station used to send scam messages
KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) has detected and shut down an illegal base transceiver station in Genting Highlands, Pahang used for fraudulent purposes. The MCMC said the integrated operation with a telecommunications company was the result of continuous monitoring, technical intelligence and network analysis to identify communication service disruptions and the spread of fraudulent SMS (short message service). "On Jan 19, 2026, a MCMC team successfully detected two vehicles being used to carry out transmission activities of the fake base station. "An inspection confirmed the interception of telecommunications networks to send fraudulent SMS to victims, proving that this was planned," it said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 31). The MCMC said the equipment and control devices were seized for further investigation and the case is being investigated under Section 239(1)(a) of the Communications and Multimedia Act 1998 and Regulation 16(1)(b) of the Communications and Multimedia (Technical Standards) Regulations 2000.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 18:40 UTC
Little-known Malaysian volunteer firefighters among flood rescuers in Thailand
The resulting flood rose up to the second floor, trapping a Malaysian family of 15 inside a four-storey hotel, including an 80-year-old woman and a six-year-old girl. Coming to their aid were surprisingly familiar faces: fellow Malaysians serving as volunteer firefighters, who had joined the Thai authorities’ rescue operations. - Photo: Md Arif ZaidullahLittle-known volunteer firefighters step upLeong is a member of the Sungai Petani Volunteer Fire Association from the northern Malaysian state of Kedah, which belongs a little-known network of volunteer firefighters operating in Malaysia. Leong said that both the Thais and the Malaysian tourists were surprised to see Malaysian volunteer rescuers on the ground. An offroad vehicle from the Sungai Petani Volunteer Fire Association parked on a flooded street in Hat Yai, Thailand.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 18:39 UTC
20 open burning cases reported in Melaka within 12 hours
MELAKA: A total of 20 cases of open burning involving scrubland, grass and rubbish were recorded in Melaka within a 12-hour period from 6am on Saturday (Jan 31). Melaka Fire and Rescue Department public relations officer Mohd Hafidzatullah Rashid said the incidents were attributed to hot and dry weather conditions, in addition to uncontrolled open burning and human activities. "The open burning incidents show an increasing trend involving public and residential areas. The fires ranged from small-scale incidents that were successfully extinguished in less than 30 minutes to large-scale fires covering up to 6.0ha, which required prolonged operations lasting more than six hours,” he said in a statement. All fires were fully brought under control by on-duty personnel, and no loss of life or injuries were reported.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 18:08 UTC
Feral dogs on the roof of the world
The dogs hunt and harass wild animals and compete with them for limited resources. But in India – not just in Ladakh but across the country – free-ranging dogs have become a high-profile problem with few easy solutions. They often prey on livestock, but they also chase down wild animals like the Tibetan wild donkey, or kiang. Some research from Nepal, she added, suggests that free-ranging dogs could also be a food source for snow leopards and Himalayan wolves. “We need more nuanced and critical studies that look at all animals, including dogs, as part of the ecological system,” Rana said.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 17:31 UTC
It's all in the mind for Wei Chong-Kai Wun, says Herry
Wei Chong-Kai Wun have found the Indonesian duo a tough nut to crack, losing six of their seven meetings so far - including their latest clash in the quarter-finals of the Indonesian Masters last week. "I see that Sabar-Moh are more confident when facing Wei Chong-Kai Wun because of their superior head-to-head record while our pair are a bit anxious when they play against them," said Herry. The defeat to Sabar-Moh in Indonesia was Wei Chong-Kai Wun's third quarter-final exit in a row this year. "Wei Chong-Kai Wun's results so far this year have not been good enough. Wei Chong-Kai Wun will be looking to do better when they compete next in the German Open from Feb 24-March 1 in Mulheim followed by the prestigious All-England from March 3-8 in Birmingham.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 17:24 UTC
High methane levels detected at Oya Kaul Festival Site
SIBU: Authorities have been urged to seal or completely backfill all boreholes and drill holes at the Oya Kaul Festival Site in Mukah following the presence of flammable methane gas at the location. The Sarawak Fire and Rescue Department said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 31) that authorities must take these measures immediately if they intend to open the site to the public. “Officers conducted three gas level readings, which recorded Lower Explosive Limit (LEL) levels ranging from 90 per cent to 100 per cent, indicating a high-risk level. “The LEL readings remained at normal levels when authorities sealed the boreholes, but the readings increased when they opened the boreholes,” it said. The department said its Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) Special Team recommended that no activities take place in the area until all boreholes or drill holes are fully sealed, to prevent any safety risks.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 15:34 UTC
MMEA detains two tankers illegally transferring RM512mil in crude oil
GEORGE TOWN: The Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) in Penang detained two oil tankers suspected of transferring crude oil worth more than RM512mil in the state’s waters on Thursday (Jan 29). Penang Maritime director Maritime Capt Muhammad Suffi Mohd Ramli said a marine patrol boat received a report at 1am that two oil tankers, anchored 24 nautical miles west of Muka Head, were suspected of conducting oil transfer activities. Inspections at the location found both vessels moored together and suspected of engaging in ship-to-ship transfer activities. "The two vessels are believed to have carried out crude oil transfer activities involving 53 crew members comprising Chinese, Myanmar, Iranian, Pakistani and Indian nationals. "The value of the seized crude oil exceeded RM512mil, while the value of both oil tankers amounted to RM718mil,” he said in a statement on Saturday (Jan 31).
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 15:23 UTC
Why Malaysians dismiss food allergies as a minor issues
Food allergies can trigger severe and sudden reactions, including hives, rashes, swelling, eczema, diarrhoea, vomiting, stomach pain, asthma and sinusitis. Because food allergy symptoms are not always obvious, they can put those affected at risk. An article Food Allergy – A Hidden Crisis (Jan 26) in The Star reports that in Malaysia, doctors say food allergies are no longer just a childhood "phase" or a mild rash after a meal. Photo: Siti Ameena Abdul KaiyumThis sentiment is echoed by digital marketing executive Siti Ameena Abdul Kaiyum, 29, who has lived with food allergies since she was four. "To mitigate it, I turned to homeopathic treatment to help calm my food allergies and prevent the blisters," she adds.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 15:05 UTC
PM Anwar extends Thaipusam greetings
KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has conveyed Thaipusam greetings to all Hindus celebrating the festival. In a Facebook post, Anwar said Thaipusam symbolises sacrifice, reflection, spiritual strength and the value of patience. As such, he said the discipline and perseverance demonstrated throughout the observance of Thaipusam deserve respect and collective appreciation. In this regard, he hoped Thaipusam would bring peace of mind to all Hindu devotees, while continuing to nurture mutual respect and harmony within the country’s multiracial society. He also expressed hope that Thaipusam would be observed with gratitude and decorum, while upholding propriety and values that form the foundation of communal life.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 14:48 UTC
Senior citizen found dead in drain in Ayeh Keroh
MELAKA: The body of a man was found in a drain near a bus stop in the Ayer Keroh industrial area here on Friday (Jan 30). Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit said a youth discovered the body of the 64-year-old in a drain filled with 0.2m of water. “The victim is believed to have fallen into the drain from a height of 1.5m. A 19-year-old found the body when he was discarding rubbish at a bin near the scene. The man's body was sent to Melaka Hospital for a post-mortem, and the case has been classified as a sudden death.
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 14:43 UTC
Jin Wei defeats Ling Ching to reach Thailand Masters final
PETALING JAYA: Women’s singles shuttler Goh Jin Wei booked her spot in the Thailand Masters final after a hard fought win over fellow Malaysian Wong Ling Ching. The independent player showed great determination and spirit to come from behind to triumph 17-21, 21-17, 21-16 in 57 minutes at the Nimibutr Stadium in Bangkok on Saturday (Jan 31). It will be Jin Wei's fourth appearance in the final of an Open tournament. She also reached the finals of the 2016 Indonesia Masters, the 2017 Taiwan Open and the 2022 Vietnam Open but finished runners-up in all occasions. The two-time world junior champion Jin Wei will take on the winner of the match between Taiwan’s Huang Yu-hsun and India’s Devika Sihag for the title on Sunday (Feb 1).
Source:The Star
January 31, 2026 14:41 UTC